Mountain Hover Fly vs Caribou Bot Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Mountain Hover Fly | Caribou Bot Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Arctophila superbiens | Cephenemyia jellisoni |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Oestridae |
| Size | 10-14 mm body length | 12-16 mm |
| Habitat | Meadows | Heathland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Northern Europe, Alps, Siberia | Alaska, northern Canada, Yukon, Northwest Territories |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Mountain Hover Fly
A furry, bumblebee-mimicking hover fly of alpine meadows. Its dense body hair helps it retain heat in cold mountain environments.
Did You Know?
Its convincing bumblebee mimicry deters predators despite being completely harmless.
Caribou Bot Fly
A robust, furry fly that parasitizes caribou and deer in North America. Like its Eurasian relative, it deposits larvae near the nostrils of its host. Adults have vestigial mouthparts and survive entirely on stored energy.
Did You Know?
Infected caribou may sneeze violently to expel mature bot fly larvae from their nasal passages before the larvae pupate in the soil.